There was a time, even after the NBA became popular because of Bird and Magic, that not every game was televised.

Hell, Game 5 of the 1989 First Round playoffs between the Bulls and Cavs wasn't nationally televised. Y'know, the game with The Shot? Yeah, that game. Matter of fact, it took me 10 years to see that game on Classic Sports Network (now ESPN Classic). Yeah, I didn't see that game until 1999.